MAN two-stroke engines to power Finnlines’ RoRo newbuilds

Germany’s engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions has won the order to supply two-stroke engines for Finnlines’ new hybrid roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels intended for operation in the Baltic Sea.

As informed, six MAN B&W 9S50ME-C9.6 Tier II-compliant main engines will power three green newbuilds ordered by the Finland-based shipping company which part of the Italian Grimaldi Group. 

According to MAN, its two-stroke licensee Hyundai Heavy Industries will build the engines in Korea. Nanjing Jinling shipyard in China is building the vessels, with the first unit slated for delivery in 2021.

“MAN B&W ME-C engines – as part of the hybrid propulsion set-up – will enable a 100 per cent increase in efficiency when measured in terms of consumption/ton of freight transported, compared to existing vessels,” MAN Energy Solutions explained.

The new order follows the one made by Grimaldi in 2019 for nine very similar vessels with the same scope of supply, and adds to recent orders MAN Energy Solutions has won in the competitive Baltic market.

“We’re very happy to win this order and to add to our recent successes in the Finnish market. To be able to add it to the previous nine vessels from the Grimaldi order is also very pleasing. Our technology will play a crucial role in this innovative hybrid propulsion system that really points the way for shipping in the future,” Bjarne Foldager, Senior Vice President, Head of Two-Stroke Business at MAN Energy Solutions, commented.

“These new RoRos will be among the most environmentally sustainable ships of their type… By investing in research & development and by teaming with its suppliers, Finnlines is well on time to meet and clearly exceed all the ambitious environmental targets set by the IMO and by the international community for shipping.”

Designed by Nordic marine designer, Knud E. Hansen, the new RoRos will be among the first examples of a new series of hybrid vessels. These will use fuel-oil during navigation and lithium mega-batteries in harbour, thus guaranteeing zero emissions in port and meeting the Registro Italiano Navale (RINA) Green Plus class notation while still satisfying energy requirements at berth.

The batteries will be recharged during navigation through shaft generators adding the so-called peak-shaving system. The newbuilds will also feature ice-class classification, 1A Super.

“These environmentally friendly vessels will be built taking all technological and environmental factors into account and thus will increase our energy efficiency further,” Mikael Lindholm, Head of Newbuilding Department, Finnlines, said.